Letters from the President and Provost

From the President

Welcome to Abilene Christian University!

We’re glad you’re planning to join us for the 2010-11 school year. Our campus is full of students who are discovering what it means to receive an education in a vibrant, innovative, Christ-centered community. Our mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world, and our faculty and staff have promised to make ACU a place where that transformation takes place.

ACU’s exceptional faculty and staff members challenge and mentor their students, equipping them to make a real difference in the world – in their homes, churches and communities. We believe true learning happens where the classroom and the world meet, so we offer numerous opportunities for hands-on learning in and out of the classroom, both on campus and in other locations around the globe. We’ve created an atmosphere where you will experience authentic spiritual and intellectual growth. At ACU we strive to blend an exceptional education with opportunities to stretch our students and challenge their faith.

As an ACU student, you will take ownership of your academic career, preparing yourself for life after college. ACU also offers numerous opportunities for you to grow spiritually and socially through participation with more than 100 campus organizations and many other venues for service. We are working to fulfill our 21st-Century Vision of becoming the premier institute for the education of Christ-centered global leaders, and we welcome you as a part of that group.

U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks ACU both a “Best College” and a “Best College Buy” in its annual ranking of colleges and universities. Our hands-on approach to learning, state-of-the-art technology and Christian focus combine to offer you a distinct learning experience.

This catalog explains our undergraduate and graduate academic programs, requirements for admission and the various support services available on campus. Please call one of our toll-free numbers if you have additional questions. Our Admissions team is ready to help you enroll, and the provost’s staff and Graduate school staff are excited to assist you in planning and accomplishing your academic goals.

-Phil Schubert, Ed.D.

President

From the Provost

Welcome to Abilene Christian University! The catalog which follows is a list—an important list, certainly—of the courses, the degree plans, the academic policies, and the faculty of ACU. But although it is an important list, the catalog really cannot capture the essence of the university.

Abilene Christian University is a higher learning community committed to the mission of educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. It is a higher learning community dedicated to honoring God through serious academic inquiry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

We welcome you into this higher learning community and invite you to engage fully in it. We encourage you to engage fully the concepts and the questions which are part of the daily classroom experience. We encourage you also to engage fully the experiences which are beyond the classroom. Explore every learning opportunity the university has to offer! Explore the opportunity to study abroad, to participate in research with a faculty mentor, to develop leadership skills, to gain experience through practica and internships, to learn through service to the community.

ACU's faculty and staff stand ready and eager to help you become a part of this higher learning community. Whether you are a new freshman or a returning graduate student, whether you are enrolled in degree programs on campus or online, we want you to be fully engaged in the ACU higher learning community.

As faculty and staff, we believe that ACU is one of the finest comprehensive Christian universities in the nation. We want you to use this catalog as a guide to your academic program, but we also are eager for you to experience firsthand the essence of this university. Welcome to ACU! May God bless you richly in your ACU experience!

– Dr. Jeanine Varner

Provost

ACU in Dallas

ACU is expanding its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a new campus and several new graduate programs.